Game apparatus



April 7, 1936. H. PALLADA 2,036,603

GAME APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l W M ,1in il w im* xx/Bem wm kpn Skim/mm1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 7, 1936. H. PALLADA GAME APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1934 H. PALLADA GAME APPARATUS April 7, 1936.

Filed April 19, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @Hoz/MAA l lil l fi

Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to a racing game wherein a plurality of figures, such as horses, dogs, automobiles. motor boats, runners, or the like, may be employed and which are controlled by the players.

An objectof the present invention is to provide a racing game of this character wherein the figures may be independently driven by any suitable power, such as electricity, air, or the like, and wherein the movement and speed of the figures is independently controlled by the players, but which control is variable so that the players may exert skill in the control of the figures and derive amusement and excitement from rplaying the game.

The invention also provides a race course or track which is constructed to accommodate a plurality of the racing objects or gures, and which is of such construction that each of the iigures or objects will have a course of the same length, and for this purpose the race course or track is made in the form of a gure 8.

The invention also aims to provide certain improved constructions of the control and operating means, and an improved means for varying the individual regulations or switches of the players, so that the adjustment of the same may be` changed without knowledge on the part of the players, and to provide an improved indicating means for determining the winning gure or object at the completion of the race.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line of Figure 2 through a game device constructed according to the present invention and showing the structure of the crossed portions of the race track intermediate the ends of the device.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a detail enlarged section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 4 of one of the electric motors used for each of the objects or figures of the device.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the same, showing the mounting of the motor on the enclosed tracks.

Figure 5 is a detail enlarged sectional view taken through the switch changing device,

Figure 6 is a detail top plan view partly broken away of one of the individual player switches, showing the chain connection thereto for varying the adjustment of the individual switch.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken through the same on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits of the individual switches.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 11 through one of the indicators used for indicating the winner of the race.

Figure 10 is a transverse section taken through the same on the line |U|0 of Figure 9, and

Figure 11 is an edge elevation of the indicator.

Referring now to the drawings, and first tc Figures 1 and 2, 20 designates the base or bottom of the game apparatus which may be of any suitable configuration, such as rectangular as shown in Figure 2, and upon the upper portion of which is mounted a race course. The race course comprises a marginal wall 2| which has a figure 8 configuration and which provides opposite end circular portions on the opposite end portions of the base, each circular portion having a central tower or cylinder 22 which cooperates with the wall 2| to support a surface plate 23 which is continuous throughout the course and which extends between the wall 2| and the adjacent tower 22 at the end portions of the game, but which is carried in crossed relation with one portion above the other between the cylinders or towers 22, as shown in Figure 1, to provide for the clear passage of the iigures 24 at the crossed portion of the track. Each surface plate is provided with a guide slot 25 extending lengthwise of the surface plate and continuously throughout its configuration. There is a slot 25 provided for each object 24 and in the present instance six such slots 25 are provided for six different racing objects. As shown in the present drawings, the objects 24 are in the form of race horses, and each object is provided with a flange 26 at its lower end adapted to receive therethrough upwardly extending posts 21 which are secured by clamping nuts 28 or the like through the flange 26 to support the figure 24.

There is a pair of posts 21 for each gure 24 and the gures are each provided with an independent elcctric motor, shown in Figures 3 and 4, which are disposed beneath the respective slots 25 in compartments provided lengthwise beneath the surface plate 23. A supporting plate 29 is disposed in spaced relation beneath the surface plate 23 and is coextensive throughout the width and length thereof and partition strips 30 are arranged in spaced apart relation between the surface and supporting plates 23 and 29 intermediate the slots 25 so as to provide a separate compartment beneath each slot.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 each compartment has a motor therein. Each motor comprises a frame 3| supported upon flanged wheels 32 adapted to travel on rails 33 mounted on the upper side of the supporting plate 29. The motor comprises a suitable iield 34 mounted in the frame 3| and provided with an armature 35 having a shaft 36 projecting at opposite ends beyond the armature and provided with worm pinions 31 which mesh, as shown in Figure 4, with worm wheels 38 connected by gear trains 39 with the axles 40 of the flanged wheels 32. The rails 33 may all be suitably grounded to any suitable source of energy and the motor may be grounded through the wheels 32 to the rails. The other side of the electric current may be introduced to the motor through a Wire 4| which is connected to a third rail 42 mounted in insulated relation upon the supporting plate 39 and over which travels a contact shoe 43 suitably mounted on the motor.

Each motor frame 3| carries a pair of the posts 21 at its upper end and the posts 21 may be provided with bushings or anti-friction devices 44 at those parts of the posts which project through the slots 25 in the surface plate 23.

The wires 4| from each track or compartment of the apparatus lead to respective individual control switches 45. These switches are located at suitable points of vantage on the apparatus, such as shown at Figure 2, where there is a switch at each uncovered corner of the base 20 and also a switch disposed at each intermediate portion of the base 2U where the curved ends of the track converge and cross one over the other. There are thus six switches 45, one for each horse or object 24, and in playing the game each person stands adjacent his switch 45 and manipulates the same for controlling the operation of the respective horse 24.

With reference now to Figures 6, '1 and 8, each individual switch 45 comprises a casing adapted to be mounted on the base 20 and which may be of suitable configuration, preferably circular, and which is freely rotatable in a guide ring 46 which is hollow and embraces the lower end of the casing 45 and adapted to house a sprocket wheel 41 which is fixed about the lower end of the casing 45. The ring 46 overlies the sprocket wheel 41 and serves to hold the switch in place on the base 20 and to guide the switch as it is turned with the sprocket wheel.

Mounted in the lower part of the casing is a lresistance coil 48 which at one end is connected by a wire 49, as shown in Figure 8, with its lead wire 4|, and which is provided With a plurality of branch wires 50 leading from different points of the resistance coil 48 to a series of contacts 5|, which are mounted upon a switch plate 52 over which traverses a spring switch arm 53. The arm 53 is mounted upon the lower end of a knob or handle 54 which projects upwardly through the switch casing 45, at the central portion thereof, and is adapted to be turned by hand for moving the switch arm 53 to a selected contact 5|. As shown in Figure 8, one of the contacts 5|, such as 5I', may be connected directly to the line wire 4|, so as to completely cut out the resistance 48 and obtain the full force and effect of the full current load. 'I'he knob 54 may be mounted on the plate 52 by means of a stem 55 or the like, as shown in Figure 7. When the sprocket wheel 41 ls turned, the relative posi-- tions of the contacts 5| in the casing 45 are changed so that the players cannot readily determine the positions of the contacts so as to obtain the desired and best results in operating the respective horse or object 24. In other words, the knob or handle 54 provides a means whereby the individual contacts may be varied, it being understood that the knob or handle 54 is rotatable relative to the plate 52 so as to eifect this individual variation.

In order to aiford amusement and excitement during the playing of the game, means are providedv for changing the relative positions of the contacts 5| in the switch casings 45, so that should one of the players be able to determine the fastest speed position of the turning knob 54, such knowledge would be of no avail after the casing 45 with its plate 52 is turned through an extent which cannot be readily determined by the player. To shift or turn the contact plates 52 of the various switches, an endless chain 56 is provided and extends about the outer or marginal portion of the game apparatus and is preferably.

housed within channel strips 51. These strips 51 may extend between adjacent switches 45, as shown in Figure 2, and the strips 51 are connected to the opposite sides of the switches 45 by intertting with the adjacent portions of the rings 46, as shown in Figure 6. The channel strips 51 are so disposed relative to the switches 45 as to hold the adjacent portions of the chain 56 in intermeshing contact with the sprocket wheels 41, so that when the chain 56 is shifted the sprocket wheels are turned and they in turn rotate the switch casings 45 and the contact plates 52 therewith. Suitable means are provided upon the base or bottom 20 as shown, or at any other lsuitable point, for shifting the chain 56 at times by a person controlling the apparatus or by the players themselves if desired.

In the present instance, the chain shifting means comprises, as shown in detail in Figure 5, a sprocket wheel 58 which meshes with a portion of the chain 56 and which is housed within a suitable casing 59. A handle or knob 60 is mounted upon the sprocket wheel 58 and extends upwardly through the casing 59, so that the sprocket wheel may be manually turned by the knob 60. This chain shifting device is preferably mounted directly on the baseboard 20, as shown in Figure 1, and the adjacent portion of the outer wall 2| may be cut away for accommodating the knob 60 when located in such position.

It is desirable to provide the device with suitable means for indicating a starting and stopping point in the race. For this purpose a bridge 6I is mounted transversely over a desired portion of the track or course, as shown in Figure 2, wherein the inner end of the bridge 6| rises from the adjacent tower 22 and extends outwardly toward one of the lateral edges of the apparatus so as to overhang all of the raceways on the surface plate 23. The figures or objects 24 are preferably disposed immediately over the slots 25 and the bridge 6| is provided with an indicator 62 for each object 24. As shown in Figures 9, l0 and 11, each indicator 62 comprises a disc shaped casing which has its major plane comh mon to the adjacent slot 25, and which is mounted upon a hollow stem 63 opening downwardly through the bridge 6| and provided at its lower end with a shoulder 64 adapted to normally support a thrust element 65, which may be in the form of a ball projecting at its lower portion into the space beneath the bridge 6| and so disposed as to engage t-he top of the figure or object 24, as the latter passes under the bridge. A plunger rod 66 is mounted for vertical sliding movement in the stem 63 and has a head at its lower end resting on the thrust member 65, while the upper end of the plunger rod 66 extends into the indicator casing 62, and is offset and attened to provide a pawl 61 normally urged against a ratchet 68 by a spring 69. The ratchet 68 is xed upon an axial shaft 10 mounted in, the casing 62 and carrying upon its opposite ends a pair of indicator drums, 1| upon the peripheries of which are disposed in reverse order the numbers or other data identifying the number of laps or representative distances of travel of the horses or other objects 24. The casing 62 of each indicator is provided with a sight opening 'l2 in each side 'or edge, there being oneof the sight openings 'l2 for each drum so as to expose the readings on the drums, one in each direction, and each indicator 62 may be surmounted with a tab T3 having a letter, a number, or a name for contradistinguishing the various articles or horses 24 mounted in the respective raceways of the device.

Current may be supplied in any suitable manner to the circuits, such as by a battery 14, as shown in Figure 8, and from which a line wire l5 leads to the spring or central arm 53 of each individual switch. The wire 'l5 may, of course, be branched to accommodate the desired number of individual switches used.

When the game apparatus is to be played. the horses or objects 24 are disposed in a suitable position, such as beneath or adjacent to the bridge 6|. When the signal to start is given, the current may be turned on in the main line wires 4| and '|5, and the various players stationed one at each switch 45, then turn their respective knobs 54, so as to swing the contact arms 53 over the contacts 5| seeking to nd the highest or fastest speed of the respective articles 24. In assembling the chain 56. it is desirable to relatively position the contacts 5| differently for the diierent switches 45, so that where a high speed may be at the left of the operator in one switch. it may be at the right of the operator in another switch, or at some other side of the other switches so as to make it confusing and uncertain to adjust the switch arms 53 for the fastest speed. This positioning of the contacts 5| may be changed from time to time by turning the knob 60 and shifting the chain 56. This further adds to confusion in the operation of the individual switches as, if a player learns of the certain locations of the higher speeds, when they are shifted the lower speeds are brought into such positions and consequently, it is diflicult or impossible to acquire a definite knowledge of adjustment of the switches.

On account of the peculiar figure 8 configuration of the raceway, the innermost tracks or slots at the ends of the apparatus become the outermost tracks or raceway at the opposite ends of the apparatus. Thus cach slot or track 25 is or the same length and the horses or objects 24 are all required to travel over the same distance in making a complete round or lap of the track.

When the horses or objects 24 return to the starting point or bridge 6|. they pass beneath the bridge and strike the lower sides of the thrust members or balls 65. force the same upwardly and thus raise the respective plunger rods 66. As a plunger rod is raised, it turns the ratchet 68 and rotates the drums 1|, a tension dog or pawl 16 being disposed in the casing 62 and cngaging the ratchet wheel 68 to hold the same from overrunning or from turning backwardly.

It is apparent from Figure 8 that when the contact arm 53 engages one of the contacts 5| the circuit is closed through an interposed portion of the resistance coil 48, so that a reduced current is closed through the motor. When the contact arm 53 registers with the contact 5|', the resistance 48 is completely cut out of the circuit and the full current capacity is closed through the motor. There is a wire 4| for each article 24 and each article has its own motor disposed in its own compartment. 'I'he motor drives through the armature 35, the gear trains 39 and axles 40 to the wheels 32, so that the latter travel along the rails 33 and carry the respective horse 24.

The circuit from the wire 4| is closed through the third rail 42 and the brush 43 of the respective motor.

Instead of the battery 14. any other electric supply means may be provided, as for instance, the house circuit.

I have described an embodiment of the invention showing six players. but the number of players is variable. and in the event that an embodiment be provided for only one player then the runway portions need not be one above the other, as they then can merely cross in the same plane. and the winner can be ascertained by the relative times of the movable objects.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having a plurality of concentric raceways therein with the raceways alternately disposed at the opposite ends of the apparatus to dispose the inner raceways at one end outwardly of the otherraceways at the opposite end, a plurality of objects movably mounted on the raceways, individual moving means for the objects to cause the same to travel each over a raceway, in-

dividual controlling means for regulating the speeds of the various objects during travel, and a single adjusting means connected to the individual controlling means for varying the adjustment of said controlling means as a unit.

2. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having a plurality of separate raceways therein, a racing object on each raceway, an independent driving device for each object, an independent controlling device for each object to regulate the speed of travel thereof, and means connected to each of the regulating devices for varying the etective adjustments of all of the regulating devices at one time.

3. A racing game apparatus comprising a body structure having a surface plate with spaced slots extending lengthwise thereof and having a compartment beneath each slotof the surface plate, a srpaia'e driving elrment mounted in each comparement to travel therein. a racing object surmounting the surface plate and connected through an adjacent slot to the driving element, an adjustable individual speed controlling member connected to the driving element for varying the speed of travel of the racing object, and

means connected to al1 of the speed controlling members for simultaneously changing the adjustments of all of the controlling devices.

4. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having a surface plate of figure 8 construction and with the intermediate crossed portions spaced apart to provide a clearance between the same, said surface plate having concentric slots extending lengthwise therein and provided with an independent longitudinal compartment beneath each slot, `a motor in each compartment, a track supporting each motor in its compartment, a third rail in each compartment for closing a circuit through the motor, a change speed switch in circuit with the motor and exposed exteriorly to the compartment, said switch having a plurality of contacts therein and a switch arm traversing the contacts and having resistance elements connected to certain of the contacts and in circuit therewith, and means for shifting the contacts relative to the switch arm for determining different adjustments of the switch arm for obtaining desired speeds of the motor, and a racing object mounted above each motor through the adjacent slot.

5. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having a plurality of concentric raceways, a racing object for each raceway, a motor connected to each object and disposed beneath the respective race way, a switch connected to each motor and having iixed contacts and a contact arm to traverse the contacts for controlling individually the speeds of the motors, and shifting means connected to all of the switches for changing the positions of the contacts to insure different adjustments of the switch arms after each operation of the device.

6. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having a plurality of parallel raceways arranged in figure 8 form with the crossed portions of the raceways spaced apart to provide a clearance therebetween, a racing object for each raceway, a motor connected to each object and disposed beneath the respective raceway, a speed controlling means connected to each motor for individual control of the players whereby each player may regulate the speed of travel of his selected racing object, and means connected to all of said speed controlling means to change the adjustments thereof required to obtain certain speeds.

7. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having a plurality of raceways therein, a racing object for each raceway, a motor connected to each object for moving the same, an independent switch for each motor, the switches being mounted exteriorly of the raceways in position to be operated each by one operator, each switch having a shiftable portion with speed controlling contacts thereon and a handle portion with a switch arm arranged in circuit with the motor to close the circuit through the various contacts and regulate the speed of the racing objects, and a common shifting device connected to all of the adjustable portions of the switches for shifting the same and changing the relative positions of the contacts and the switch arms.

8. A racing game apparatus comprising a base, a plurality of raceways mounted on the base, a racing object mounted on each raceway and having a motor for moving the object, individual switches for each motor mounted at various points around the marginal portion of the base, each switch having a rotatable part with contacts .i thereon and a sprocket wheel on the rotatable a,ose,eos

part, each switch also having a switch arm with a handle for turning the arm to traverse the contacts and control the current passing through its associated motor, an endless chain extending about the marginal portion of the base, and meshing with the sprocket wheels of all of the switches, and shifting means for the chain for moving the same and turning all of the rotatable portions of the switches to dispose the contacts thereof in new positions.

9. In a racing game apparatus, a body portion having a raceway with a slot therein and a compartment beneath the slots, a track disposed in the compartment of the body, a motor disposed in the compartment having supporting wheel): engaging the track and having posts extending upwardly through a slot, a racing object carried on the upper end of the posts, a gear train disposed between the motor and supporting wheels for turning the latter to move the racing object, a third rail arranged in the compartment for closing 'a circuit through the motor, a switch mounted on the apparatus at a point remote from the compartment and connected in circuit with the motor, said switch having variable resistances and contacts therefor disposed in the switch, a handle for the switch having a switch arm arranged in circuit with the motor and adapted to traverse said contacts for driving the motor at different speeds, and means for shifting said contacts relative to the arm to change the required adjustment of the arm for the same relative speeds.

10. In a racing game apparatus, a racing object, a motor operating the object, an individual player switch disposed in circuit with the motor and having a plurality of resistances disposed in circuit with the motor and each with a contact in the switch, a handle for the switch, a switch arm connected to the handle in circuit with the motor and adapted for adjustment to engage the contacts and operate the motor at different speeds, and means for adjusting the switch to change the positions of the contacts to require different relative adjustments of the switch arm for the different speeds of the motor.

ll. In a racing game apparatus a base, a plurality of raceways on the base, a racing object on each raceway and having a motor for driving the object, an individual switch for each motor and connected in circuit thereto and mounted on the i outer marginal portion of the base, each of said switches having a rotatable part with contacts thereon and a sprocket wheel for turning the part to change the position of the contacts, an endless chain arranged about the marginal portion of the base and disposed in mesh with all of said sprockets, and a shifting device for the chain comprising a handle mounted on one of the sprocket wheels and extending upwardly from the sprocket wheel, whereby on the movement of the handle the sprocket wheel is moved.

12. In a racing game apparatus, a raceway having a plurality of tracks thereon, a racing object for each track, independent motive means for the objects, a bridge mounted over the raceway and extending over said tracks, an indicator mounted on the bridge for each object, each indicator comprising a thrust member projecting through the bridge for engagement with the object when passing beneath the bridge, a plunger engaging the thrust member for upward movement thereby, a pair cf drums disposed at the upper end of the plunger and having a ratchet wheel connected thereto, said ratchet wheel adapted for engagement with the upper end of the plunger for turn- Gil ing the ratchet wheel when the plunger is raised, and an enclosing casing for the drums having sight openings in opposite sides, said drums having reversely disposed data thereon visible through the opposite sight openings for indicating from opposite sides the number oi times the object passes beneath the bridge.

13. A racing game apparatus comprising a plurality of figure 8 tracks arranged in side by side relation and the tracks being of equal length, a racing object for each track, an individual motive means for each object, a controlling means for each motive means, a single adjusting means connected to each of the controlling means for varying the adjustment of said controlling means as a unit.

14. A racing game apparatus comprising a plurality of tracks arranged in side by side relation and having an intersecting area, a racing object for each track, an individual motive means for each object, a controlling means for each motive means, a single adjusting means connected to each of the controlling means. and means engaging the tracks for varying the adjustment of said controlling means as a unit.

15. A racing game apparatus comprising a body portion having raceways arranged in side by side relation, objects movably mounted on the raceways, individual operating means for operating the objects including at least two movable members each adjustable relative to the other, and a single adjusting means connected to each of said operating means for varying the effectiveness of each of said operating means, said adjusting means including a connecting member engaging one member of each of said operating means for the objects, and means for adjusting said connecting member.

HUBERT PALLADA. 

